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Courtyard II under New Ownership
This summer, CSU Foundation Properties transitioned ownership of Courtyard II to real estate investment and development company, Greenhill Partners. This trade of ownership took place largely in part due to Sasaki, a consulting company, conducting a master plan study for CSU
| Aug 21, 2013
What does this mean for current and future residents?
Campus Life
The Saber | Columbus State University
Campus Life Editor
Teefuh Choice
“Building a new residence hall near Clearview will revolutionize the campus.” - Jonathon Lucia, Director of Residence Life
that urged the school to focus on the long term viability of CY II and to increase the strength of the student life experience. With these recommendations, CSU Foundation Properties sold to a company that is extensively experienced in creating highly sought after student housing property. It may seem a strange idea that CSU does not own their student housing, but the concept is not foreign to universities across Georgia. For example, Kennesaw State University’s housing is own by a third party, as is CSU’s Fontaine Hall in Riverpark. Although Greenhill are the owners of Courtyard II, CSU continues to lease the student housing and manage the facilities just as they did with the previous owners. CSU President Tim Mescon said that there would be no change for students and that is part of a larger effort to provide “better, more contemporary housing.” Jonathon Lucia, Director of Residence Life, said in an email to CY II residents, “In the past, CSU has engaged in a partnership with the CSU Foundation Properties to manage Courtyard II as Columbus State University Housing. We are engaging in a similar partnership with Greenhill Partners, and the change in ownership will not affect your housing for the 2013-2014 academic year. The Office of Residence Life, University Police, Transportation Services, and UITS will continue to provide all of the services that you expect and deserve.”
In regards to the students, there are no major plans for renovations to disrupt the flow of the school year. Residence Life wants this transition to be as seamless as possible. In the future, Greenhill is considering adding a pool, replacing the carpet in the older units, and refurnishing all buildings. Many CY II residents are questioning why R building is the only unit that was fully refurnished. Since the sale happened
“We need better, more contemporary housing.” – University President Timothy Mescon
midsummer, there was not enough time for Greenhill Partners to order and replace all units before school started. These capital improvements are usually completed in stages for financial and resource purposes. Therefore, R building residents are the lucky recipients of modern furniture, including full sized beds. Amaka Iloegbunam, R building Resident Assistant, said, “The new furniture in R building is definitely one of Courtyard II’s major upgrades. I love the idea of having a full sized bed. I actually feel at home in my dorm room which is always a plus.” Along with the sale, Residence Life is preparing to build first year student housing near Clearview, which is expected to be completed in 2015. This student housing will be structured similar to Riverpark’s housing and will contain 500 beds, according to Mescon. The new set-up is supposed to create a stronger first year environment by increasing the interaction and connection between the students and Resident Assistants. Lucia said, “Building a new residence hall near Clearview will revolutionize the campus.” Current students may feel they are losing out because the future renovations and housing will not be accessible for their college years. As Director of Residence Life, Lucia focuses on improving the student life experience for future students while satisfying the current students. Residence Life has fully refurnished Courtyard 1 South and Maryland Circle for the satisfaction of the residents. ??\?H\?H?]?\?X??[??????? ???????]\?X? ?[??Y\??]?\?X????\? ? ?[?\?Z[?Y[?Y]???[??Z]?\????Y^K]Y?\? M?X\??Y H??X?X[[???[??[Y[?[?[? ?? X?[?? H?? ???????]\?X??&\??]?\?X??K???? \??\?\??\? ?\? ?]?[?\? H][?]?\??] H???]XZ[?K?[? ?HY?Y[? ?] H [?]?\??] H ?[??H NNL?[? ?\? H??[?[??\?X??? Z\? ?????]\?X?[? ? ?\??\?X\??Y[\?Y?Y\?H?X?[?Y?YH ?]\?[??[?[???\??][?HX\?\??]\?X?Y?YH ?]\?[??[?[?]\?X? [?K[?H ? ?[?]\?X? [?H ?]Z[???[??[???\??][?[???\ ]\? ??Y[??K[]]X?H??Y?K?\??\?\? ?\X?[??[?\?[H\?X?? ????[?\? ??\?????\????] H?? ????\?X\??Y\??X?[?Y?YH]?YY??Y?KX\?\??]?[X\? [????]H?]\?X?[\? ?]X[?] [??????]\?X???